Chin Chin (Melbourne, VIC, Australia)

As one of the most popular restaurants in Melbourne, Chin Chin's normal wait time is almost too long to make it worth it, but I knew it would be a good while before I returned to Melbourne, so I decided to go. I was late due to travels (oops!) and my friend ended up having to wait a while - but thankfully they have their "GOGO" Cocktail bar downstairs!

Though they claim their food is Thai, the ambience of the restaurant and their dishes are all more of a Thai fusion flavor. We started with the Kingfish Sashimi (22), recommended by a friend and several diners. While the flavors of the lime, chili, coconut and basil were a delicious blend, the mouthfeel of the fish ended up being soggy and a bit disappointing. Next we ordered several dishes, including the classic Pad Thai (23) and Massaman Curry (26), as well as their Barbecue Pork Satay (23). I wasn't a big fan of their take on pad thai, as the dish was a little lacking in spices for a Thai food. The barbecue pork satay was even less impressive - as the meat was difficult to eat and the sauces being just mediocre. The Massaman Curry, however, wowed the taste buds of me and my friend! With a blend of kipfler potatoes, peanuts, fried shallots, and braised beef in curry, this was definitely the star of the night - and quite possibly one of the best curries I've had.

We each had drinks that were delicious and suited our dinner, and I would just about recommend one over the next. The ambience is quite dark and modern, so if you're looking for a traditional Thai restaurant, this isn't it. I love how Chin Chin feels - dark, spacious interiors with a modern industrial twist and a basement bar - but not only that, their service is decent even on an extremely busy night. Though I feel like their food could be a hit or miss, I can fully understand the popularity of this place that is embedded in one of the hottest streets of Melbourne.

Price: $$-$$$
Rating: 3.5/5
Tips: arrive early after work! Open 7 days a week, 11AM till late

I am Chipotle Monster, Hammy Tammy, Burger Fiend, a lean mean eating machine who loves food, learning, creating, and trying new things. I have a B.S. in Nutritional Science from The University of California Berkeley, a consequence of love for food and biology. I've been moving to a different country every few years for the last decade or so, and I've had the privilege of not only sampling, but actually discovering the uniqueness of some of the cities I've lived in. My no-fluff "scathing reviews" (I prefer honest) of some of the worst and best fooding destinations is really an open diary of me orienting myself in cities around the world.

If you are wondering what Edesian Feast means, the name comes from the Roman goddess of food. With her name associated with luxury and feasting, Edesia is the divine spirit believed to be the one who blesses banquets. As food was and is of utmost importance in Roman culture, it is also very much so in Taiwanese culture. If you've ever met anyone from Taiwan, you know that they're always thinking about what to eat for their next meal...

I'm a coffeefish with a love for steak, sashimi, tacos, key lime pie, and sticky rice cake, but I'll try almost anything once. This is a space to drool and feast your eyes upon delicious pictures and share the best fooding experiences around the world, so don't hesitate to drop me a recommendation and follow my adventures!